Legal Commentary

A Tribute to Louis Henkin from Harold Koh

By Kenneth Anderson

The great international law scholar Louis Henkin passed away two days ago; for many decades he taught at Columbia Law School, which released a note from the dean on Professor Henkin?s passing. Over at Opinio Juris, Harold Koh, currently Legal Adviser to the State Department, has a lovely tribute to him.  I have come not to share Lou?s views on some things related to international law and human rights, but that?s neither here nor there; Lou Henkin is one of the giants of international law and the human rights movement.

For me personally, however, what I will most recall about Louis Henkin is something altogether different.  When my wife and I lived in New York, we would occasionally run into Lou and Alice Henkin, walking hand-in-hand along the streets of the Upper West Side near Columbia.  It was this then middle-aged couple strolling hand in hand that always caught my wife?s attention, and mine; I hope we can be like that, said My Beloved Wife on one occasion.  Ave atque vale.  And deepest sympathies to Alice Henkin and all their family.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on October 15, 2010 (boomark / email).